Search the record

proposal on the €200 per month, we looked at using the national childcare scheme and expanding it to childminders. That would really assist in building capacity in the sector because for many parents, the choice is no longer there. If they want to get the subsidy and need … help in affording childcare, they have to look to the formal setting whereas in rural areas in particular, a local childminder might actually suit people, especially those doing shift work. We should look to expand the NCS to childminders. It would give greater choice to parents and would

assure the Deputy that childcare and early learning is an absolute priority of this Government. The building blocks extension grant scheme is an important part of that. I appreciate that €25 million is €25 million, but the 78 applications were just the applications. There was no impediment … place that are empty and were designated when they were being built to support housing developments and are not being used as childcare facilities. There is an issue with that. It is working beautifully in some parts of the country but I am well aware where

heard earlier that 30% of childcare managers are struggling to find new staff. Would she consider adding childcare to the critical skills list, which would make it easier for that sector to attract skilled and qualified personnel, especially, of course, from countries outside the European Economic Area such … Government is not an employer, it is the policymaker in this area. Would we consider a long-term sustainable career path for childcare staff with market-rate pay as a policy, some sort of a pay scale and ongoing training and career development in particular? That is quite

election period is that while all parties had different areas of focus, they all said that something significant needs to happen on childcare. I take the point, and while it is not for me to tell committees how to do their work, but as they are established … focus on how we can advance a proper fit-for-purpose childcare system is crucial. I am proud of the some of the work we have done on reducing the cost of childcare. I know it can still be too high but not being able

give effect to it. That is work that can be done. It could usefully be done by an Oireachtas committee in respect of childcare, just like we did in terms of healthcare and other areas in the past. It needs a fairly detailed analysis and engagement with … stakeholders in the area of childcare. We can create legal rights and constitutional rights, but, fundamentally, the real meat is in the provision of resources, with structures and systems that give the desired outcome of access to childcare places for everybody who requires

want to ask the Minister about her ongoing work in the Department focusing on the reduction of childcare costs and making childcare more accessible. What are the plans to get to the commitment in the programme for Government to reduce childcare costs to €200 per child per month

Investment in early learning and childcare is now at unprecedented levels with public funding exceeding €1.37 billion in 2025, clearly demonstrating the Government’s commitment to this area. As well as addressing affordability, this investment has served to improve accessibility, availability and the quality of provision … programme for Government provides the impetus now to go much further and to deliver more high-quality early learning and childcare places at a cost that is affordable to families. Under this Government, the recently established supply management unit in the Department will be resourced and transformed into

Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the efforts being made to urgently address the crisis within the childcare system, with many childcare facilities unable to attract and retain staff; whether childcare facilities struggling to retain staff and at risk of closure

much are withdrawing their labour. They cannot afford to live in the cities or the cost of living when it comes to childcare provision. None of these issues seem to be addressed in the programme for Government. There are some great statements on what the Government would like … question it, whether about the falsity of the housing figures presented willingly by the Government or the inability to promote what the public childcare in this programme for Government is, was, "Ye had your chance". That is not true. Long before any of us were around any table

those who work in it is a critical part of this programme for Government, as is supporting families to reduce the cost of childcare and supporting those who work in the childcare sector by building a modern, resilient childcare sector that is a support to parents and children

husband, and to my friends and activists, I am extremely grateful. Thank you. Across Carlow and Kilkenny, parents are struggling to find adequate childcare places. The sudden announcement of the closure of a school servicing Castlecomer has left parents without vital childcare. In Kilkenny city, another provider … issues. Parents are left in the difficult position of scrambling for limited alternatives. The programme for Government has offered mere lip service to childcare. Will the Taoiseach’s Department commit to a concrete plan that will include transitioning to a public funding model? Parents cannot endure another year

broader point is that childcare has evolved quite significantly over recent decades in Ireland whereby we have many community-based and private childcare services, and some State childcare services, albeit in the minority. The taxpayer funds many of the services to get the fees down for parents, which

ensure every school's designs are fully accessible for all. The problems of parents do not stop there. There is the cost of childcare. Parents will tell you that in order to pay for early years childcare, it will cost almost an entire wage. The State should … ensuring that parents can afford early years childcare. As with many socioeconomic issues

families. The €30 per week increase in the working family payment income threshold will support lower-paid families. Higher levels of investment in childcare will support enhanced affordability for parents. Maximum childcare fees will fall from €735 to €550 per month, saving families over €2,000 a year

need for more gardaí in Ballinasloe, County Galway. Deputy Barry Ward - To discuss the need to support families that have children in childcare centres that are not part of the core funding model. Deputy Joe Neville - To discuss the three school campus project in Celbridge. Deputy Malcolm Byrne … student from Gaza who has had his visa for study in Ireland refused. Deputy Sinéad Gibney - To discuss the number of childcare providers that are leaving or have left the core funding scheme in Dublin Rathdown. Deputy Darren O'Rourke - To discuss the Bus Éireann 103 bus service

proposed in the review is an increase to the associated allowances that are considered in assessing eligibility, namely, the spousal, dependant, accommodation and childcare allowances. I am pleased to now be able to provide the resources to enable those key recommendations to be progressed … access to legal services. The Minister, Deputy O’Callaghan, intends to increase the financial eligibility thresholds, together with increased allowances for spouses, dependants, childcare and accommodation costs. The changes will extend the availability of civil legal aid to many people who currently fall outside the financial eligibility criteria

Taoiseach can well appreciate the demands on parents who are trying, and often unsuccessfully, to find placements for their children. Childcare remains one of the biggest barriers to people participating in the economy, to being employed and to having that job, the Taoiseach mentioned earlier in the Chamber … that can lead to so much social good. Will the Taoiseach undertake to have regard to the childcare situation in Waterford, particularly in Dunmore, Dungarvan and Tramore, where parents are routinely finding it impossible to find a suitable placement for their children

personal tax credits and the USC threshold, alongside an enhanced rent tax credit for 2027 and 2028. It also provides additional supports through childcare services relief, rent-a-room relief, microgeneration income and third level education fees. Together, these measures will help workers and families to retain more … student contribution fee rate, effective from the 2026-27 academic year. Section 7 increases the income tax exemption for qualifying childminders under childcare services relief by €5,000 to €20,000 and removes the limit on the number of children covered by the scheme. Section 10 extends existing

will get significantly less than those who earn more. People earning between €30,000 and €40,000 are paying exorbitant rent, very high childcare fees and the most expensive electricity bills in Europe. How can the Government justify that? So much for helping those who need it most … inheriting wealth and selling assets. This money could have been used to help kick-start a public high-quality and affordable model of childcare that we desperately need. It would be an investment back into communities that would benefit generations of Irish families. Instead, it goes where

workers' take-home pay is given, from a tax perspective, it is wiped out instantly if they have to pay for private childcare, private healthcare, private assessments of need and private grinds, all because our public services are understaffed and, in many cases, overwhelmed. We are talking about … childcare. People have no choice but to drive and pay high fuel prices because they cannot suddenly switch to an EV if they have a petrol or diesel car, and that is if they have a car. Others will have to get a taxi because in many cases

from Palestine seeking to study in Irish universities this semester. Deputy Barry Ward - to discuss the need to support families with children in childcare centres that are not part of the core funding model. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin - to discuss recent data on premature deaths of people experiencing … discuss funding to carry out significant improvement works to older schools in County Kerry. Deputy Emer Currie - to discuss reforming the national childcare scheme to ensure that parents are not financially penalised. Deputy Colm Burke - to discuss opening a stem cell transplant unit at Cork University Hospital. Deputy

where the band expansion will be significant. We are also listening to congress. We took measures that will reduce the cost of childcare significantly. These give us a clear pathway to get that cost down to €200 over the next number of budgets. We then did work … disability. From the outset of the Government, childcare and disability and the costs around disability were clear Government priorities. This will help many working families. In addition, there is a whole range of other measures, such as the increase in the tax credit and the improvement in student

work hard to build because the struggle to juggle is still alive and well. Families are working harder than ever, juggling jobs, commuting, childcare, school collections and caring for relatives. Too often, making that work still falls to women. When it does not work, women are more likely … transparency directive following the deadline in June. Reporting reveals inequality. Our responsibility is to change the conditions producing it through accessible childcare, flexible working and supportive family leave. Women should be able to become mothers without sacrificing their careers. Men should be supported to share care. Families should

crossings. Deputy Pa Daly - To discuss physiotherapy services in Castleisland. Deputy Pearse Doherty - To discuss provision of a new building for Ardara Community Childcare. Deputy Paul Donnelly - To discuss the continued waiting time for children to have early intervention from CDNTs. Deputy John Connolly - To discuss the provision … appropriate public housing for families that provide foster care. Deputy Barry Ward - To discuss the need to support families that have children in childcare centres that are not part of the core funding model. Deputy Rory Hearne - To discuss funding and support for Finglas West Family Resource Centre

this. I have contacted Tusla. Tusla has outlined pathways in terms of mediation. I have contacted an independent body, Mayo County Council's childcare committee, which also offered mediation. Unfortunately, that has not happened. I have reviewed documentation, including notes from board of management meetings on this matter … Róisín and the families and identify an alternative location for this school. A total of 43,000 children are on waiting lists for childcare and preschool facilities. Here is a provider who is outstanding and with a wonderful facility. There is a sensory garden

Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the key measures taken to improve employment conditions in the childcare and early learning services since January 2025; her priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if she will make a statement

Disability and Equality if she is aware of a case (details supplied); and if she will engage with the families affected to ensure childcare costs are affordable. [52122/26

John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide an update on the proposed establishment of a dedicated childcare agency; the current status of the proposal; the progress made to date; the expected timeline for its establishment; the functions and responsibilities the agency

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the breakdown of the current funding streams in childcare; the breakdown of the additional funding provided in Budget 2026, in tabular form; the expected funding required in 2027 to maintain existing levels of service

Ennis asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of childminders who have completed a pre-registration course via their local childcare committees; the figure as a percentage of the number of childminders operating in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the governance arrangements relating to the board of a childcare committee (details supplied). [51459/26

Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether core funding is paid for childcare capacity that is frequently though non-consecutively unavailable due to room closures; if her Department monitors cumulative room closures across a programme year; the safeguards in place to ensure that

potential projects and their locations, and the names of those who have proposed these projects including those from the local city and county childcare committees. [51828/26

Question No. 28 of 23 June 2026, if she will confirm whether proposals from private operators are being considered to run State-led childcare facilities given a recent new report (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51829/26

regarding the future of the former delivery service unit on Griffith Avenue, Dublin 9; whether consideration has been given to the site for childcare, disability or family support services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51894/26

Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the mechanisms in place to ensure that early learning and childcare providers participating in the core funding scheme comply with the fee management conditions, and do not increase fees charged to parents contrary to the terms

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether compliance is monitored directly by her Department, by Pobal, by the network of City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs), or by another body; to outline the respective responsibilities of each organisation in relation to monitoring and enforcement; and if she will

confirm that no cap, limit or oversight mechanism currently applies to the profit margins of private providers of State-funded residential childcare placements; whether she considers such a mechanism warranted given the scale of private provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50639/26

independent value-for-money audit, as distinct from the bi-annual contract reviews referenced in that reply, has been conducted into private residential childcare placements since 2020; if so, to publish the findings; and if not, whether she will commission one. [50640/26

independent value-for-money audit, as distinct from the bi-annual contract reviews referenced in that reply, has been conducted into private residential childcare placements since 2020; if so, to publish the findings; and if not, whether she will commission one. [50647/26

Parliamentary Question No. 314 of 15 April 2026, to commission an independent, externally conducted value-for-money review of expenditure on private residential childcare placements; and if not, the reason. [50666/26

Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 490 of 23 April 2026, the average annual cost per child of a private residential childcare placement in each year from 2020 to 2026, in tabular form. [50668/26

whether a formal assessment of the risks arising from market concentration and dependency on a small number of private residential childcare providers has been carried out; and whether such risk is recorded on the Tusla corporate risk register. [50669/26

Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department will help resolve an issue experienced by a childcare business (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49945/26

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the total number of private residential childcare placements in 2025 and to date in 2026; where the cost exceeded the standard or indicative rate set by Tusla; and the aggregate additional cost approved in each year

Disability and Equality to provide the published rate card or methodology used by Tusla to set standard and indicative rates for private residential childcare placements, in tabular form. [49958/26

Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to address delays in the Garda vetting process, particularly for the early education and childcare sector, where providers report waiting up to eight weeks for vetting clearance for new employees; the impact these delays are having on services’ ability

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the specific target and timeline, that has been set to reduce Tusla's reliance on private residential childcare placements; the date this target was approved; the metric against which progress will be measured; and if she will make a statement

Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if Tusla's reliance on private residential childcare placements is included as an item on Tusla's Corporate Risk Register; if so, the date it was added and its current risk rating; if not, the reason

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number and value of applications received by her Department, or on behalf of her Department, from childcare providers in County Waterford under capital funding schemes in each year since 2020; the number approved and unsuccessful; if she is satisfied that